The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1887-06-16
MODERN OLD MAIDS.
They nre jolly and Good -Natured, and
Dress in Exquisite Taste.

Ac, ,ording 10 the idea of things which
prevailed not so very long ago, the wo-
man who did not marry was blighted
being. 1t did not matter whether she
remained single from choice or neces.
sity; for since il was considered wo-
mans only manifest and unaltcrable
destiny 10 marry, she must of course, be
regarded as failure in lie if she did
not do this. And though she NAV have
refused forty offers Of marriage, Or have
had the most imperative duties of any
sort, or developed the most decided tai
en-; for some vocation in life other than
marriage yet neither one nor all of these
wonld have been accepted as valid
reason why she should not follow what
society had decided was the only proper
course in life for her.
From this condition of things there
arose in literature and minds of the peo-
pie in general tho typical "old maid. I"
She was always pictured as gaunt,
angular, and forbidding in appearance:
morose and ill-tcmpered in disposition,
rs became a blightcd and disappointed
being; hating youth and pleasure of all
sorts. with a special grudgc against
iovemaking and lovers, since they re-
minded her of her own vanished youth
and the opportunities which she never
had, or, having, had neglected.
But We have changed all that in these
later DAYS. With the education of wo-
men and the broadening of their oppor>
tunitics in every way their dcsiinies have
broadencd also. A woman is still, per-
haps, expected first to marry, and it is
best for her that she should, provided
her marriage can be a happy and suita-
BILE one. But if from her own choice,
or a necessity arising from n lack of ap.
probation on the part Of the other and
more stupid sex. she remains ut the end
of her days what someone calls an ''un-
claimed blessing" she is no longer con-
sidered. from this circumstance alone,
failure and an unhappy creature. She
is no longer doomed to Il life of depen-
dcnce in the house of another, for
score of vocations are open to her, in
any one of which she may win a liveli-
hood or even competence. Consequent
ly she commands respect, and, far from
being subject of contempt or pity, she
is more likely the object of open or Sc
cret envy on the part Of most Of her
married acquaintances
And so it has come about that the
typical old maid of former times has
passed away, and in the literature of to-
day We find new types conforming to
the new facts of the case and quite DIFF
ferent from the old. The modern old
maid is not angular and forbidding in
appearance. but plump and pleasing.
She is not morose and ill-tempercd, but
jolly and good-natured to an extent that
makes her the best of company. As
she has never had the absorbing cares
that come with marriage, and has no
family of sons and daughters growing
up about her TO remind her of the flight
OF years, she has naturally forgotten to
grow old, and young people regard her
as one OF themselves. when good times
are beng planned; while in the matter
Of lovers and love making she has had
that experience which makes her simply
invaluable as conlidante and adviser,
and she is the repository of all the Sc
crets of this sort which exist within the
range of her acquaitance. She dresses
in exquisite taste, she pets n pug dog or
white cat, 4 golden beetle, CIR what
ever animal t.shion may dictate; is
idolized by her family; especially her
young nephcws; has hosts Of admirers,
but is discretion and propriety persona
fed; is the guiding spirit in orphan
asyiums. hospis,l fairs. associated
charity matters. and other good works.
and, in short, lives out to the end of her
days happy, useful, well-rounded cx-
istence. Telegraph.